Great Wares at Maker Faire

Maker Faire: New York was filled to the brim with exciting science projects, dramatic installations, and craft creations. It was impossible not to be inspired to go home and start making things. But, as the day wore on and exhaustion set in, we wandered over to a wonderful part of Maker Faire… the part where you can buy things that other people went through the trouble of making. The best thing is, all of these goodies are available online for your enjoyment.

Crocheted rayguns from Needle Noodles

Needle Noodles had all sorts of crocheted goodies, from rocketships to zombies to Cthulhus. I was particularly taken with the crocheted rayguns. If you are inspired to make such things, be sure to check out the Needle Noodles blog for patterns and ideas.

Luchador thumb wrestlers from Ity Bity Bags

If you want to take your thumb wrestling to the next level, you’re going to need a set of Luchador thumb covers from Ity Bity Bags. Ity Bity Bags also had great little zippered pouches made to look like vintage cameras.

Recycled journals from Grand Wazoo

Grand Wazoo had a great set of journals made from recycled video game, book, and album covers. What really set these apart, though, is that every few pages a random bit of goodness was added. Blank pages are mixed in with pages from old magazines, comic books, and video game booklets. How’s that for inspiration?

Chocri's chocolate bars and unusual mix-ins

Say you’re walking through Maker Faire and you’re starving because the line for the Goodburger truck is 100 people long. Are you going to say no when someone puts a couple bars of interesting looking chocolate in your hand? I don’t think so. With Chocri Meine Schokolade, you get to play Willy Wonka when designing your chocolate bar. Some of the more interesting mix-ins include coriander, bacon bits, jalapenos, wasabi peanuts, and gold flakes. I’ve been enjoying my bar of Strawberry Basil Martini. Basil and chocolate? Oh, yes.

Amy Kraft is a kids' media producer, writer, and game designer living in New York City. She also writes the kids' media blog Media Macaroni.